Tag: Radar Landing Page

12 Artists, 6 Countries, Endless Talent: Meet the RADAR Latin America Class of 2024

May 9, 2024

From reggaeton to Música Mexicana, Latin artists are reshaping the rhythm of global music. Recent years have seen the emergence of groundbreaking talent from cultural hot spots like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Puerto Rico—and at their heels are more rising stars, ready to take the music to even greater heights.

Since 2020, Spotify has helped artists across the region chart their paths to stardom through RADAR, our global program to support emerging talent. Previous editions of the program have featured Latin hitmakers like Peso Pluma, Blessd, Ovy On The Drums, and Maria Becerra. Today, these power players aren’t just breaking records on Spotify—they’re breaking down barriers and bringing their music to a global audience.

Now we’re launching the RADAR Latin America class of 2024. Featuring 12 artists, the class represents Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Argentina. These artists reflect the region’s rich tapestry of styles and genres, including Argentine cuarteto, Música Mexicana, Brazilian funk, and reggaetón Mexa, as well as sounds like pop, hip-hop, rock, and R&B.

As part of the program, RADAR artists receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist and special editorial placement. Additionally, this year, Spotify is teaming up with Meta to provide the class with personalized guidance, empowering them to create effective social strategies and enhance their online presence. This will be essential for expanding the artists’ reach and engagement on digital platforms.

Spotify is also partnering with the artist-fan community platform sesh to offer mentorship to each artist. Through sesh, which helps artists forge deeper connections with their listeners, they will build custom strategies for greater growth and retention of their fan bases.

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

RADAR Mexico

CHOCA

On Spotify, reggaetón Mexa has grown over 120% in its home country in the past year alone. Hailing from Mexico City, CHOCA is ready to take the genre even further. The artist launched her music career in 2021 with the release of her first single, “Bluntsito,” and has continued to fine-tune her flow, as evidenced by her latest single, “Bebe Ricota.”

Delilah

The young Música Mexicana artist Delilah has made a name for herself in corridos tumbados, a subgenre of Mexican corridos. She was the first female singer to join Natanael Cano’s record label, Los CT, and dropped her first single under the label, “Amor Perdido,” earlier this year.

The Warning

The Monterrey-based rock band The Warning is composed of three sisters: Dany, Pau, and Ale Villarreal. The group initially made waves with a series of independent releases, paving the way for their 2022 album ERROR. They have since graced stages alongside rock legends like Muse, Foo Fighters, and Guns N’ Roses.

Stream our RADAR México playlist to hear the country’s next wave artists to watch.

RADAR Brazil

Os Garotin

Rio de Janeiro-based band Os Garotin was formed by Anchietx, Leo Guima, and Cupertino. The three friends (and solo artists) have come together to blend Brazilian soul, hip-hop, and pop into a sound they describe as danceable R&B. The trio first gained attention in 2023 with their debut EP, Só Vem, and are currently preparing to release their debut album, OS GAROTIN DE SÃO GONÇALO.

MC NAHARA

MC NAHARA has emerged as one of the main female voices of Brazilian funk, with several million followers on social media. Most recently, she featured Brazilian funk mainstay Djonga on her track “Mexeu com a Mente,” while collaborations with rapper MC Saci and producer Wc no Beat are on the horizon.

Xamuel

Boasting more than 4.5 million followers on social media, Xamuel is a young Brazilian artist from Rio Grande do Sul who got his start in the region’s battle rap scene. After footage of one of his battle raps went viral in 2022, Xamuel developed the hit into his breakout single “Alguém Conseguiu Entender?” which he followed up with his major label debut single “Sozinho.”

Dive into our RADAR Brasil playlist to discover more emerging talent.

RADAR Andinos

Susana Cala

Susana Cala is a singer-songwriter from Bogotá, Colombia. After composing songs for renowned Latin artists such as Morat, Andrés Cepeda, Sebastián Yatra, and Ximena Sariñana, she launched her own career as a pop artist in 2021. She describes her sound as bedroom pop and cites artists like Julieta Venegas and La Oreja de Van Gogh as her inspiration.

Joaquina

The young Venezuelan American singer-songwriter Joaquina is one to watch in Latin pop. She took home the Best New Artist award at the 2023 Latin Grammys for her debut EP, los mejores años (notas de diario), a collection of poetic pop-rock reflections on heartbreak, rage, and teen angst.

Greccia

Greccia is a singer-songwriter from Lima, Peru, who describes her sound as a mix of dream pop, alternative urban, and R&B. She launched her music career just over a year ago with the release of her first single, “aviéntate,” and is currently working on her first studio album, arriving later this year.

Check out tracks from other talented artists in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru in our RADAR Andinos playlist.

RADAR Al Sur

Magui Olave

Magui Olave was born and raised in a cuarteto family in Córdoba, Argentina. She got her start in music doing backup vocals for her cousins, Argentine cuarteto singers Ulises Bueno and Rodrigo (also known as “El Potro”). Today, she has several studio albums under her belt.

Valentina Marquez

Valentina Marquez is a rising star in Argentine cuarteto, having followed in the footsteps of her father Lisandro Marquez, a member of the cuarteto band Sabroso. Just two years into her music career, she has already accumulated nearly 20 million streams on Spotify.

Eugenia Quevedo

Eugenia Quevedo is another prominent female figure in Argentine cuarteto, having appeared on shows like Got Talent Argentina and La Voz Argentina (of The Voice franchise). Most recently, she collaborated with Argentine hitmaker Luck Ra on “OJALÁ,” a track from his chart-topping album QUE NOS FALTE TODO.

Stream our RADAR Al Sur playlist to hear more rising stars from the southernmost areas of Latin America.

RADAR Italy Returns With 6 Artists Transforming the Country’s Music Landscape

April 24, 2024

As Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, RADAR supports emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has featured more than two dozen up-and-coming Italian artists. From BLANCO to BigMama, ARIETE to Il Tre, Rhove to NASKA, many of these entertainers have leveraged RADAR to boost their profiles and connect with new fans near and far.

Now we’re launching our fourth edition of RADAR Italy, featuring Tony Boy, okgiorgio, Coca Puma, STE, Sally Cruz, and centomilacarie.

This group reflects the wide range of styles and genres that extend across the country. They’re driving music trends, influencing everything from rap to electronic to a Gen Z wave of fluid, genreless sounds. As part of the program, all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.

To introduce—and celebrate—this year’s class, we brought all six artists to Milan for our first-ever RADAR live event in Italy. Along with performances from our guests of honor, content creator Federico Felletti also interviewed each artist.

Keep reading to get to know these rising stars.

Tony Boy

Amid the growing popularity of rap in Italy, Tony Boy is one to watch closely. The young artist has made a name for himself as an urban singer-songwriter with a penchant for introspective storytelling. His new album, NOSTALGIA (export), is a strong follow-up to his earlier work, including 2020’s Going Hard and 2023’s Umile.

okgiorgio

As RADAR Italy’s first producer and DJ, okgiorgio sits at the forefront of the country’s electronic music scene. The artist pulls from genres like stutter house and U.K. garage to create music with equal parts emotion and danceability.

Coca Puma

Newcomer Coca Puma is a singer-songwriter, producer, and musician who combines genres such as indie, dream pop, nu jazz, and electronica. Her recent debut album, Panorama Olivia, showcases a unique approach to music that has been influenced by her experiences traveling abroad, jazz studies, and eclectic listening habits.

STE

Neapolitan music has emerged as a national phenomenon in recent years, and rap remains a prominent part of the city’s music culture. But R&B is also on the rise, and STE is one of Naples’ most promising representatives, fusing the rhythms of contemporary R&B with Afrobeats and traditional Neapolitan sounds.

Sally Cruz

With the release of her first single, “UN DISASTRO,” Sally Cruz launched her music career in 2022 just as pop punk was beginning to trend in Italy. Today, the artist is also influenced by urban and electronic sounds, evidenced by “LA NOTTE,” her collaboration with thasup and Mike Defunto that recently landed on Spotify’s Hot Hits Italia playlist.

centomilacarie

Centomilacarie, who has been playing music since the age of four, mixes raw and unfiltered songwriting with a diverse sonic palette to create a style all his own. Most recently, the artist collaborated with MACE on two songs from the Italian producer’s latest album, MĀYĀ.

Stream our RADAR Italia playlist to discover more emerging Italian artists.

RADAR Spain Returns With 6 Artists Shaping the Country’s Hottest Music Trends

April 5, 2024

Since its launch in 2020, RADAR has served as Spotify’s program to spotlight rising talent from around the world, supporting emerging artists on their journeys to global stardom. Now we’re launching our next edition of RADAR Spain, featuring Mushkaa, Charlie USG, Luis Cortés, pablopablo, shego, and Samuraï.

These six artists reflect the rich tapestry of sounds taking the country by storm, from the rise of urban music in Catalan to the fusion of flamenco, soul, and R&B. And as part of the program, they will all receive Spotify support through a dedicated playlist, special editorial placement, and personalized marketing plans.

Across the previous editions of the program, 35 Spanish artists have used RADAR as a springboard to raise their profiles and connect with new fans across the globe. Take reggaeton star Quevedo: After being named one of Spotify’s RADAR Global artists in 2022, the singer dropped his collaboration with Bizarrap, “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52,” and went on to become the most-listened-to homegrown artist in Spain in 2022 and 2023.

The RADAR Spain class of 2023 is also riding a wave of momentum. One featured artist, singer-songwriter-producer SAIKO, has seen his monthly listeners grow by a cool 600%. Similarly, pop performer Marta Santos has boosted her monthly listeners by more than 120%, while singer Queralt Lahoz has seen a 90% spike.

This new class of rising stars is now ready to make their mark and showcase the innovation and experimentation that has long defined Spanish music. Keep reading to find out why these artists have fans buzzing.

Mushkaa

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Just a few years into her professional music career, Mushkaa sits at the forefront of the Catalan urban music scene. With a distinct urban/pop sound, the artist is helping take music in the Catalan language beyond its traditional geographic borders.

Charlie USG

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Charlie USG got his start performing covers of popular Spanish songs on the streets of Madrid. In 2022, he released his first original song, “Gran Vía 82,” in honor of the corner where he developed his first fan base. Today, the singer-songwriter combines classic rock elements with contemporary pop sounds.

Luis Cortés

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Luis Cortés’ gypsy and African ancestry helped shape his diverse musical palette, with the musician blending flamenco, soul, and R&B into one unique sound. He recently dropped three new singles: “Sin Ti, Sin Mí,” “Mama,” and “ME DUELE QUERERTE.”

pablopablo

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

After getting his start as a producer and composer, pablopablo burst onto Spain’s indie music scene in 2022. Since then, the artist has collaborated with Spanish pop star C. Tangana on several releases, including “Estrecho / Alvarado (feat pablopablo).”

shego

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

The Madrid-based rock band shego dabbles in rock, pop, punk, and electronica. Currently working on its second studio album, the female-fronted group has been steadily climbing the ranks of Spanish indie rock.

Samuraï

Photo credit: Nani Gutiérrez

Samuraï takes us back to the punk-pop sounds of the 2000s. The artist mixes alternative pop, electronic, and urban sounds, fusing her passion for video games with her music in a fresh, vibrant way.

Stream our RADAR España playlist to discover more emerging Spanish artists.

RADAR US Is Back With the Raw and Unfiltered Raps of Sexyy Red

February 12, 2024

RADAR was launched in 2020 to support artists and creators as they chart their paths to superstardom, and it has since become the global home for what’s next in music.

In recent years, we’ve been proud to support RADAR alumni like Zach Bryan, Tyla, Villano Antillano, Reneé Rapp, and Peso Pluma. And this month we’re proud to name Sexyy Red as our latest RADAR US artist.

 

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All eyes were on the St. Louis rapper in 2023 when she found success with her track “Pound Town”; she later joined SZA on Drake’s single “Rich Baby Daddy.” Influenced by 2000s southern rap from the likes of Three 6 Mafia and Gucci Mane, Sexyy Red collaborated with Nicki Minaj, Lil Durk, NLE Choppa, Summer Walker, Chief Keef, G Herbo, 42 Dugg, Young Nudy, Latto, and Moneybagg Yo in the last year alone.

But Sexyy Red is just getting started, and we’re committed to helping her career grow even bigger. Through RADAR, we’re working to introduce Sexyy Red to reach new audiences, deepen her connection with her Day 1 fans, and amplify her upcoming releases. She’ll not only be the featured artist of our RADAR US playlist but will receive additional support on- and off-platform. 

Sexyy Red’s addition to our list of RADAR artists follows the recent refresh of the program’s look and feel, which invites fans to step into the world of tomorrow’s stars and find out what inspires them and what keeps them going.

Stream RADAR US to check out the irresistible sounds of Sexyy Red and more of our RADAR picks.

2023 RADAR Colombia Artists Release Spotify Singles in Collaboration with Renowned Producer Ovy On The Drums

November 24, 2023

RADAR Banner

Without a doubt, RADAR has become a home for new music. The Spotify program, which finds talented local emerging artists and gives them the platform they need for a global reach, has especially taken hold in Colombia. Over the course of 2023, RADAR Colombia has gone to new heights by working with Ovy On The Drums, the renowned producer for KAROL G. Ovy, who is also an artist in his own right, joined forces with Spotify to collaborate with three promising Colombian artists on new music.

Ovy, who was also a RADAR artist in 2020,  is the perfect partner to help these promising artists increase their visibility both on digital platforms and beyond, and teach them the composition and production processes used by the region’s and the world’s most outstanding artists. 

This year, RADAR in andean countries has also evolved to provide more solid support to the careers of our program artists. To aid in our search for talented acts, and to ensure our process is informed and equitable, we embarked on a RADAR tour where we connected with over nine promising artists, all of whom had clear plans for launching their work, showed steady commitment to their projects, and were backed by solid teams. From this talented group, we selected the three artists of the year :  Junior Zamora, Valentina Rico, and Loyal Lobos. We flew all three artists to Medellín to record a Spotify Single with Ovy On The Drums.

Get to know the artists and listen to their singles below.

Junior Zamora

Originally from Cali, Colombia, Junior Zamora established himself in the world of music as a talented composer, arranger, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. His unique style, which combines Afro influences with coastal rhythms, urban currents, R&B, and Latin Pop, is reflected in his greatest hits. Junior’s ability to capture and convey a wide range of musical nuances establishes him as a prominent figure in Colombian music.

Valentina Rico

Valentina Rico, a singer and songwriter from Medellín, Colombia, made her mark in the music industry when she was a teenager. Working with Sony Music Publishing Latin, she has written songs for artists such as David Bisbal, Paulina Rubio, Luis Fonsi, Morat, and Danna Paola. Her career includes hits like her album Si Te Soy Sincera and singles like “Miel” and “En Qué Planeta,” which have boosted her recognition as one of the breakout artists. She has also participated in the RADAR Songwriters program.

Loyal Lobos

Loyal Lobos is the musical project of Andrea Silva, a singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, originally from Bogotá, Colombia. Her songs, which reflect memories of her childhood and experiences as a young adult, address themes of love, sexuality, and femininity. Introduced to music from her childhood, Silva moved to Los Angeles at 18, where Loyal Lobos was born.  Her latest EP, LOBA Vol I, has mesmerized her fans with songs like “Si Volviera A Conocerte” and “Autosabotear“.

These types of programs and projects create more opportunities for emerging artists. In fact, Junior Zamora, was signed by Sony Music after being announced as a RADAR artist.

Check out tracks from other talented artists in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru in our RADAR Andinos playlist.

Artistas RADAR colombianos presentan nuevas colaboraciones con el reconocido productor Ovy On The Drums

November 24, 2023

RADAR Banner

RADAR, el destacado programa de Spotify, se ha consolidado como una plataforma clave para el descubrimiento de nuevo talento. Esta iniciativa, que apoya a artistas emergentes al proporcionarles herramientas para desarrollar sus proyectos y llegar a audiencias globales, ha tenido un impacto bastante importante en Colombia. Este año, el programa ha dado un gran giro al colaborar con Ovy On The Drums, el reconocido productor de KAROL G. El paisa, detrás de éxitos como “TQG” y “PROVENZA”, se unió a Spotify para crear nuevos hits con tres promesas de la música en Colombia. 

Ovy es el aliado perfecto para impulsar a estas nuevas figuras locales y aumentar su visibilidad, así como compartir las mejores prácticas en los procesos de composición y producción de las grandes estrellas del mundo. 

Este año, el programa ha evolucionado para brindar un apoyo aún más sólido a las carreras de los artistas. Con el propósito de encontrar a las nuevas promesas y asegurar un proceso de selección informado y equitativo, realizamos una gira donde conectamos con cerca de nueve artistas emergentes, que tenían planes concretos de lanzamiento, proyectos a largo plazo y equipos consolidados. 

Fue así como finalmente seleccionamos a Junior Zamora, Valentina Rico y Loyal Lobos, quienes volaron a Medellín para grabar un Spotify Single cada uno con el productor. 

Conoce a los artistas y escucha sus nuevos singles

Junior Zamora

Originario de Cali, Colombia, Junior Zamora se estableció en el mundo de la música como un talentoso compositor, arreglista, cantante, productor y multi instrumentista. Su estilo único, que combina influencias afro con ritmos de la costa, corrientes urbanas, R&B y Pop Latino, se refleja en sus mayores éxitos. La habilidad de Junior para capturar y transmitir una amplia gama de matices musicales lo establece como una figura prominente en la música colombiana.

Valentina Rico

Cantante y compositora de Medellín, Colombia, ha marcado su huella en la industria musical desde su adolescencia. Trabajando con Sony Music Publishing Latin, ha creado canciones para artistas como David Bisbal, Paulina Rubio, Luis Fonsi, Morat y Danna Paola. Su carrera incluye éxitos como su álbum ‘Si Te Soy Sincera’ y singles como “Miel” y “En Qué Planeta“, que han impulsado su reconocimiento como una de las artistas revelación. También ha participado en el programa “Radar Songwriters”.

Loyal Lobos

Loyal Lobos es el proyecto musical de Andrea Silva, una cantante y compositora radicada en Los Ángeles, oriunda de Bogotá, Colombia. Sus canciones, que reflejan memorias de su niñez y experiencias como adulta joven, abordan temas de amor, sexualidad y feminidad. Introducida a la música desde su infancia, Silva se trasladó a Los Ángeles a los 18 años, donde nació Loyal Lobos. Su más reciente EP LOBA Vol I, ha cautivado a sus fans con canciones como “Si Volviera A Conocerte” y “Autosabotear”.

Programas como RADAR crean más oportunidades para artistas emergentes. De hecho, Junior Zamora fue firmado por Sony Music después de ser anunciado como artista RADAR.

Descubre canciones de otros talentosos artistas en Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela y Perú en nuestra lista de reproducción RADAR Andinos.

Zior Park Brings Us Into His Universe as the Next RADAR Korea Artist

November 5, 2023

Zior Park RADAR Korea Cover

Known just as much for his visually stunning and artistic music videos as he is for his music, Zior Park is unquestionably one of the most diverse and innovative minds to hit the Korean scene in recent years. With a sound that gives off a merry-go-round Danny Elfman fever dream vibe through a hip-hop lens, the young artist’s fame has been rapidly rising since his 2018 debut.

Now he has reached new heights as this month’s RADAR Korea artist.

RADAR, a global Spotify program, is dedicated to showcasing emerging artists around the world through support, helping them expand their audiences to the global stage. Since its launch in 2020, the RADAR Korea playlist in particular has elevated the best and brightest new talent, like AleXa, ASH ISLAND, NMIXX, SOLE, Huh, and LE SSERAFIM, to the global stage.

As this month’s RADAR artist, Zior will grace the top spot on the RADAR Korea playlist. Additionally, we kicked off an exclusive RADAR party last week that included a live performance and the screening of an official RADAR behind-the-scenes documentary.

Zior first hit the scene in 2018 with his single “Beautiful.” His 2020 album THUNDERBIRD MOTEL and 2022’s SYNDROMEZ showed off a freshly polished dark sound touching on nostalgia, pain, and the experience of living a life that is far from normal. Zior’s latest EPs, WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? Pt. 1 and the recently dropped WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? Pt. 2 tell the story of “THE MAN WHO SAW SASQUATCH” and the resulting aftermath. Dripping with quirky child-like playfulness, singles such as “CHRISTIAN,” “QUEEN,” AND “MAGIC!” show off the dark-tinged artistry the South Korean has become most known for. 

“I’m thrilled to share my music with a global audience through Spotify’s RADAR program,” Zior told For the Record. “I will continue to explore my musical world and share exciting music and stories that are uniquely Zior Park.”

Listen to the quirky dark side that is Zior Park and other emerging Korean artists in our RADAR Korea playlist.

At SXSW Sydney, RADAR, EQUAL, and K-Music Take Over Spotify House

October 26, 2023

Blusher performs during the RADAR Artist Showcase & Party at Spotify House during SXSW Sydney on October 19, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images for Spotify)

For the first time in its history, Austin’s iconic South By Southwest (SXSW) festival expanded beyond its Texas watering hole and traveled all the way to Australia for SXSW Sydney. Fashioned as the Asia-Pacific extension of the original event, SXSW Sydney took place over eight days and included a series of creative sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and more. And you can bet Spotify was along for the ride.

We took over Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel and transformed it into Spotify House across four days. During the day, it was the place to be for panels, networking sessions, and fireside chats. At night, Spotify House became a live-music venue with performances by a stellar line-up of artists from across the Asia-Pacific region. Spotify House was an opportunity to highlight some of our artist-first programs, like RADAR and EQUAL, as well as feature popular genres like K-hip-hop.

On our RADAR

We introduced our latest group of up-and-coming artists during a special RADAR showcase: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, Vv Pete, and Blusher. 

“We are so grateful to be Spotify Australia’s new RADAR artist! We cannot believe the amazing support that we have received so far,” exclaimed the band members of Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. “We have absolutely loved seeing new people all over the world listening to us little Teeny Jeanies and we really can’t thank Spotify enough!”

RADAR is our global emerging artist program that supports rising artists, and that includes RADAR Australia and New Zealand, both of which we launched in 2020. Since then, we’ve played a significant role in helping regional artists like PANIA, merci, mercy, CHAII, Genesis Owusu, Youngn Lipz, Baker Boy, grentperez, Larissa Lambert, and Royel Otis cross over into international markets.

The response from a sold-out crowd deeply moved the artists. “We started making music in our bedrooms, and support from Spotify has made it possible to play our music to audiences all over the world,” shared Blusher. “Seeing new listeners connect with our project, being able to share not just our songs but our creative vision through visuals and playlists of the music that inspires us, makes us so excited to bring people into the Blusher world that we’re creating.”

It wasn’t just high-energy performances that amplified RADAR. Hannah Beeching, Spotify’s Lead for Global Music Program RADAR, spoke to industry veterans Andrew Klippel, Artist & Label Manager for Ourness Label, and Mardi Caught, founder of The Annex, a music marketing company, as part of the “RADAR Across Borders” session. “RADAR artists have been added to over 5,000 Spotify playlists since the program launched in 2020, and more than half of these artists have gone on to be added to more playlists in over 10 markets around the world,” Hannah remarked during the talk. 

Spotify’s RADAR Program Brings a Fresh Look and New Stories From Global Artists, Songwriters, and Podcasters

October 5, 2023

Cover Image for RADAR

Since 2020, RADAR has been the global home for what’s next in sound, lifting up rising artists, burgeoning songwriters, and promising podcasters as they develop and expand their global reach on the path to superstardom. To best represent the wide breadth of RADAR and strengthen its commitment to bringing emerging talent to the forefront, we’re taking a step forward in our journey of inviting listeners to witness the future of music, songwriting, and podcasting by bringing them into the creator’s world.

Starting today you’ll notice RADAR’s new look gracing the program’s global collection of playlists, as well as billboards, platform marketing, and social content. Feturing a distinctive paper cutout visual identity, RADAR will put a strong focus on bringing rich storytelling to the mix in addition to a prominent feature on the RADAR playlists. With videos that show  who tomorrow’s stars are, what inspires them, and what keeps them going, listeners can step into the world of their new favorite creators. 

“We’re thrilled to introduce audiences to the future of music, songwriting, and podcasts with this new campaign,” Hannah Beeching, Global Music Programs Lead at Spotify, tells For the Record. “RADAR originally started as a way to support emerging artists and has now expanded to include songwriters and podcasters from around the world. The program gives creators a global platform to help grow their careers and reach new and existing fans through bespoke social content, marketing, and editorial opportunities.” 

Featuring a roster of over 700 artists across 183 countries since its inception, Spotify’s RADAR program has helped showcase what’s next in the world of music, lifting up the very best in global songwriting and performing talent. In recent years, we’ve been proud to support RADAR alumni like Libianca, Alessandro La Cava, Veigh, Shermanology, Tyla, NMIXX, and one of the hottest stars on the planet, Peso Pluma. 

“Songwriters are the heart of the music industry, and we’re proud to bring greater visibility to their craft with RADAR Songwriters,” says Jacqueline Ankner, Songwriter & Publishing Relations Manager at Spotify. “We’ve introduced international hitmakers such as Ines Dunn, Natali Noor, Alessandro La Cava, Beach Noise, and more to new fans globally. We’re excited to continue to elevate the next generation of songwriting superstars with RADAR.”

RADAR Artist Reneé Rapp Dives Headfirst Into Her Music Career With a New Single, Album, and Tour

August 16, 2023

Renee Rapp sitting in a blue room facing the camera

Fans may already know 23-year-old Reneé Rapp from her theater and television careers. Now it’s time for the North Carolina native’s third act—and the one she’s most passionate about—her music career.

Music has always been a present and important part of her life, with Reneé starting to write and record songs when she was a teen. In 2022, she released her first single, “Tattoos,” and then followed it up with her EP, Everything to Everyone. Her pop-driven songs include a range of soft-spoken lyrics and belt-out-loud ballads.

As Reneé prepares for the release of her debut album, Snow Angel, on August 18, the star takes the title of Spotify’s newest RADAR US artist. RADAR, a global Spotify program, is dedicated to showcasing emerging and talented artists around the world through support and resources that help selected artists expand their audiences.

“It’s been incredible to watch Reneé’s growth over the past year—her talent is undeniable,” shared Ashley Graver, Spotify’s Head of Pop, Dance & Indie, Artist Partnerships. “We took an interest in Reneé early on when she had only released two songs and had yet to announce a single live show. Her sound and energy are unmatched. She has a wildly devoted fan base that constantly proclaims their love and has anointed her the next big pop star, and we’re excited to introduce her to an even bigger audience through RADAR.”

Through the RADAR program, Reneé is featured in the RADAR US social content series, which includes an exclusive interview with the artist and a stripped-back performance of a track off her new album. Additionally, she will receive marketing support throughout key milestones, like on-platform promotion, visuals in Times Square, a feature in RADAR’s quarterly partnership with Rolling Stone, and more. The singer is currently showcased on the cover of the RADAR US playlist, and her latest track, “Talk Too Much,” is featured prominently at the top.

“We are very excited to partner with Reneé through our RADAR program. Last year, our editors noticed her music not only because of the quality but also because of the way it was resonating with our users,” said J.J. Italiano, Spotify’s Head of Global Hits. “As we worked with Reneé and her team to help grow her audience on Spotify, we were taken by her passion, motivation, and ambition. When watching her perform as part of our Pop Rising On Tour program, it was immediately clear that she was connecting to fans in the real world as intensely as she was connecting with them on our platform. We’re honored to be a part of Reneé’s journey and looking forward to what’s to come.”

This fall, Reneé will embark on her Snow Hard Feelings tour with Alexander 23, a singer-songwriter and producer who worked with Reneé on the new album. Many shows are already sold out, proving that her presence doesn’t have to be on Broadway or TV screens for fans to flock to her. This is only the beginning for the actress and singer, and through RADAR, we hope to introduce Reneé’s catchy and captivating sound to even more audiences around the globe.

 

Fans can find music from Reneé, and other promising artists to watch, on our RADAR US playlist.

LE SSERAFIM Takes Its Daring Brand of K-Pop to the World as Our Latest RADAR Korea Group

June 7, 2023

From the very start, K-Pop girl group LE SSERAFIM made it known they would stand at the top. Consisting of members Sakura, Chaewon, Yunjin, Kazuha, and Eunchae, the group has garnered global attention with its unwavering spirit and infectious sound. This is even evident in its name—an anagram of the phrase “I’m fearless”—which serves as a mantra to represent the members’ self-confidence and unbreakable poise.

Now the LE SSERAFIM is taking the next step toward pop superstardom as RADAR Korea’s newest featured act.

RADAR, a global Spotify program, is dedicated to showcasing emerging and talented artists around the world through support and resources that help selected artists expand their global audiences. As part of the RADAR program, Spotify is providing promotional support to LE SSERAFIM through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and billboard placements. We also worked with the group on a RADAR mini-documentary, which you can watch in full below or catch some footage on the Clips featured in our RADAR Korea playlist.

LE SSERAFIM marked its arrival last year with its debut EP FEARLESS and quickly followed that up with a second EP, ANTIFRAGILE. Last month, exactly one year after its first release, the group released UNFORGIVEN, its debut studio album that further showcases the group’s determination to pave its own path. 

Since then, the group’s most-streamed songs globally include: 

“We deeply appreciate the opportunity to connect more closely with our fans around the world through Spotify’s RADAR program,” said Chaewon. “We look forward to continuing to challenge ourselves by sharing music and telling stories that are uniquely LE SSERAFIM.”

Since its launch in 2020, RADAR Korea has supported various emerging Korean artists—including AleXa, ASH ISLAND, NMIXX, SOLE, and Huh—and introduced them to Spotify listeners around the world.

Check out the hottest sounds from these artists and more with the RADAR Korea playlist.

RADAR US Is Back With Peso Pluma, the Emerging Hitmaker Taking Música Mexicana to the Global Stage

May 23, 2023

peso pluma holds his sunglasses over his eyes while sticking his tongue out

As Música Mexicana (Mexican music) increasingly captivates fans around the world, few of the genre’s stars have risen as rapidly as Mexico’s Peso Pluma. The 23-year-old singer, rapper, and songwriter is booming, evolving from social media sensation to prolific hitmaker.

Now the young star is the latest featured artist in the RADAR US class of 2023.

RADAR is our program that spotlights emerging talent from around the world, helping artists at all stages of their career develop and expand their global reach on their path to superstardom. As part of the program, Peso Pluma will receive marketing, editorial, and on-platform support over the course of the next few months, including a feature as our RADAR US playlist cover star. 

Peso Pluma’s big break came in 2022 with his single “El Belicon,” which features Raul Vega and was supported on playlists like Corridos and Los Que Mandan. Nearly one year later, he cemented himself as Música Mexicana’s newest star with “Ella Baila Sola,” featuring Eslabon Armado. The single became Spotify’s all-time most-streamed Musica Mexicana track in one day globally and the most-streamed Latin song in the U.S in one single day in April 2023. 

peso pluma sitting on a stool in front of a mic with members of his band behind him.

With Peso at the forefront of the genre, Música Mexicana has exploded in popularity over the past five years. Contributing to Latin music’s dominance on the chart, the genre has grown over 431% in streams on Spotify globally. Check out these additional stats: 

  • Peso Pluma is currently #4 on Spotify’s Top Artists globally.
  • “Ella Baila Sola” is currently #1 on Spotify’s Top 50 US and Top 50 Global charts.
  • Peso Pluma has over 48 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and he’s the 48th-most-popular artist on-platform.
  • Today, 10 out of the top 20 songs on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart are Latin, five of which are by Mexican artists. This is a testament to the increasing popularity of Música Mexicana.

And Peso Pluma isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With his third studio album slated for release this summer, he’s also gearing up for a U.S. tour that kicks off in June. Amid all the excitement, For the Record sat down with Peso to talk about his biggest inspirations, the future of Latin music, and how it feels to be a RADAR US artist.

How did your journey into music begin?

I’ve always enjoyed music, but I actually was more into sports. I started playing around with music because I had friends that enjoyed it. I didn’t think I was that good at first, but I kept practicing and I did it with passion. After a while, I started writing with my cousin Tito. It was definitely a rough journey, but I stayed true to myself!

peso pluma looks down at the floor while wearing sunglasses

What’s your creative process like?

I try to not over think it—I listen to a song and just vibe with it. I imagine how all of the instruments will sound around my vocals, and how I can add my personal stamp to it. If I can’t do that, then the song probably isn’t for me. I like to get involved in production, but my producers and musicians are definitely an important part of the whole process.

What would you like your fans to get out of your music?

I want my fans to smile, laugh, cry, and dance. I want my music to make them feel something, and I want them to enjoy it as much as I do.

Which artists have inspired you the most?

Drake, Bad Bunny, Travis Scott, Natanael Cano. I look up to so many different artists. I love music and I draw inspiration from a lot of people.

What are you looking forward to as a RADAR US artist? 

I’m looking forward to exposing more of the world to Música Mexicana and to my culture. There’s a lot more to us than people might think. We have a lot to offer, and I’m sure we can make an impact out there.

What are you most looking forward to as Latin music, and particularly Música Mexicana, starts to become a beloved genre worldwide?

I’m looking forward to showing everyone that we can make global music, too. It’s a really special opportunity to show people that we can reach fans around the world.

Are there any Spotify for Artists tools you use regularly?

I always use my Spotify for Artists app to check on new releases through the real-time Listening Now feature that shows what people are listening to at the moment. It makes me feel connected to them in a way.

What’s something people don’t know about you?

I really care about the details. I always want to make sure I’m giving my best in every possible way. I’m also very specific about the vision for my projects. Overall, I’m just passionate about music and I want to transmit that to the world.

What are some of your rituals before you record a song?

I just go for it. Once we’ve got everything in place with my producers and musicians, everything flows from there. 

Any advice for fellow emerging artists?

Don’t give up on your dreams. It sounds cliché, but don’t stop! Be original and unique in your own way. Hard work pays off, and most importantly, so does being true to yourself.

Listen to Peso Pluma and more rising stars in our RADAR US playlist.